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About Us

Established on July 1, 2007, Middle Tennessee Rural Reentry (MTRR), a non-profit organization, has three major goals:

  • Reduce recidivism of inmates served at the Franklin County Jail

  • Train inmates to become productive members of society by addressing their criminogenic needs

  • Help improve public safety

 

In order to achieve these goals, the following classes and services are provided to eligible incarcerated adults.

Screening and Assessments –

  • Risk and needs assessments

  • Interest and aptitude assessments

Job Readiness – This class trains participants in areas necessary to secure and keep a job. Training consists of: Resume Development, Correct Application Completion, Appropriate Interviewing Skills, “Dress for Success,” How to Maintain Employment and Acceptable Work Behaviors.

Moral Reconation Therapy - The MRT workbook, How to Escape Your Prison, uses a 12 step program designed to help individuals break self-destructive cycles. The goal is to change the way they think and make positive choices.

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Counseling – Substance Abuse and Mental Health counseling is provided to participants to address addiction and/or mental health issues.

Parenting - These classes are provided through a partnership with Campora Family Resource Center in Winchester, TN. The area of concentration is centered on the participant being a responsible parent.

Job Placement Assistance – In order to achieve a life change that will help encourage participants from re-offending, they are assisted with acquiring employment upon release. Our goal is to help participants gain employment in fields that match their interests, aptitudes and abilities and become productive members of society.

Post-Release Services –

  • Job Readiness, if needed

  • Case Management

  • Job Placement Assistance

  • Assistance in securing ID’s, Birth Certificates, Social Security Cards

  • Referrals for Housing and Transportation

  • Assistance in follow-up with probation and parole

  • Assistance with application for health care

  • Referrals for Health and Human Services

  • Assistance in follow-up with substance abuse and mental health services

  • 12 month follow-up

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MTRR Board of Directors

Scott Crago, Chairperson

Michelle Earle, Vice Chairperson

Sofia Leon-Meza, Secretary

Greg Ferguson

Barbara Finney

Tina Gifford

Scotty McKay

Brain Travis

Dave Van Buskirk

Eric Vanzant

Victim Impact Training - Victim Impact is a “victim-first” curriculum focused on crime and justice topics with an emphasis on accountability. The curriculum dissects these topics so the participants are able to learn about the impact their actions are having on their victims.

Franklin County Prevention Coalition – Services are offered to the children of Reentry participants.

High School Equivalency – Classes are offered to inmates through a partnership with South Central Tennessee Workforce Alliance.

Health Education Classes – The Franklin County Health Department provides Health Education classes to participants.

MTRR Staff

Christine Hopkins, Executive Director

Lisa Pendleton, Information Systems/Office Manager

James Cantrell, Post-Release Case Manager

 

Franklin County Reentry Staff

Dale Hatcher, Instructor

Michelle Perkins, Case Manager

Jesse Ayers, Counselor

Paige Lowe, Counselor

Dinah Walker, Counselor

Leslie Johnson, Case Manager

Kelly McComb, Assessment Specialist

Pat Brandenstein, Business Developer

Partners

Campora Family Resource Center

Franklin County Health Department

Franklin County Prevention Coalition

South Central Tennessee Workforce Alliance

Program Funding

Reentry is funded by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of Justice Programs (OJP), Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), Franklin County Government, and Tennessee State Department of Corrections. MTRR operates under a Board of Directors and is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

 

​Non-Discrimination Policy

Pursuant to the State of Tennessee's policy of non-discrimination, MTRR does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age or disability in its policies, or in admission or access to, or treatment in, its services or activities.

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